Syracuse, N.Y. -- Three people and a cat safely exited a home at 201 Parkway Drive in Syracuse after the attic caught fire just after 9 a.m. Thursday.

Debra Williams said the family left the house quickly when her granddaughter Shamira's T.V. shut off suddenly and she smelled smoke coming from the attic. Williams' grandson Amir was also in the house.

After the blaze was out, firefighters brought the family back inside the first floor of the house to get car keys and search for their cat, Carmo.

Julie McMahon | jmcmahon@syracuse.com

Williams came back out with a squirming Carmo minutes later.

The Syracuse Fire Department responded to the fire, along with Rural Metro Ambulance and Syracuse Police.

Firefighters continued to remove a burned mattress and other debris from the attic around 10:30. Ceilings in the building had collapsed and there was significant water damage inside, Williams said.

Police have blocked off Parkway Place, which is on a hill, until firefighters can leave the area. Officials have not said what caused the fire. Williams said she suspected the problem was electrical.

The Red Cross was on scene to provide the family with relocation services.